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Pacifiers: Are they good for your baby?
Pacifier do's and don'ts
If you choose to offer your baby a pacifier, keep these tips in mind:
- Wait until breast-feeding is well established. Be patient. It may take a few weeks or more to settle into a regular nursing routine. If you're breast-feeding, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting to introduce a pacifier until your baby is 1 month old.
- Don't use a pacifier as a first line of defense. Sometimes a change of position or a rocking session can calm a crying baby. If your baby seems hungry, offer the breast or a bottle.
- Choose the one-piece, dishwasher-safe variety. Pacifiers made of two pieces pose a choking hazard if they break. The shape and firmness is up to you — or your baby. Once you've settled on a favorite pacifier, keep a few identical backups on hand. Many babies refuse a substitute pacifier.
- Let your baby set the pace. If your baby's not interested in the pacifier, try again later — or skip it entirely. If the pacifier falls out of your baby's mouth while he or she is sleeping, don't pop it back in.
- Keep it clean. Before you offer your baby a pacifier, wash it with soap and water and allow it to dry thoroughly. Resist the temptation to "rinse" the pacifier in your own mouth. You'll only spread more germs to your baby.
- Keep it safe. Replace pacifiers often, and watch for signs of deterioration. A worn or cracked nipple can tear off and pose a choking hazard. Also use caution with pacifier clips. Never use a string or strap long enough to get caught around your baby's neck.
- Know when to pull the plug. If ear infections are a concern, you might begin to wean your child from a pacifier at age 6 months. Most kids stop using pacifiers on their own between ages 2 and 4. If you're concerned about your child's pacifier use, consult his or her doctor for suggestions.
The bottom line
The decision to use a pacifier — or not — is up to you. Let go of any guilt or pressure as you learn what works best for your baby.
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References
- Sexton S, et al. Risks and benefits of pacifiers. American Family Physician. 2009;79:681.
- O'Connor NR, et al. Pacifiers and breastfeeding. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. 2009;163:378.
- Hanzer M, et al. Pacifier use does not alter the frequency or duration of spontaneous arousals in sleeping infants. Sleep Medicine. 2009;10:464.
- Rovers MM, et al. Is pacifier use a risk factor for acute otitis media? A dynamic cohort study. Family Practice. 2008;25:233.
- The changing concept of sudden infant death syndrome: Diagnostic coding shifts, controversies regarding the sleeping environment, and new variables to consider in reducing risk. Pediatrics. 2005;116:1245.
- Thumb, finger and pacifier habits. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/tfphabits.asp. Accessed May 15, 2009.
- Hebling SR, et al. Relationship between malocclusion and behavioral, demographic and socioeconomic variables: A cross-sectional study of 5-year-olds. The Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 2008;33:75.
- Berkowitz CD. Thumb sucking and other habits. In: Berkowitz CD. Berkowitz's Pediatrics: A Primary Care Approach. 3rd ed. Washington, D.C.: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2008:213.
- Shelov SP, et al. Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. 4th ed. New York, N.Y.: Bantam Books; 2004:44.
- Schwartz RH, et al. Infant pacifiers: An overview. Clinical Pediatrics. 2008;47:327.
